Scottish Oatcakes

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Cookies bars Easy

A thin, crisp, nutty biscuit with a coarse oat texture and just enough salt. Medium oatmeal and a little hot fat bring the dough together without sugar. Makes 16 oatcakes in about 35 minutes.

Prep 15 min

Cook 20 min

Total 35 min

Yield 16 oatcakes

Ingredients

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oatcakes

7 oz (200 g)medium oatmeal
½ tsp (3 g)salt
¼ tsp (1 g)baking soda, pinch
2 tbsp (30 g)unsalted butter or lard, melted
6 tbsp (90 ml)boiling water, approximately

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Stir the oatmeal, salt and baking soda in a bowl. Add the melted fat, then stir in just enough boiling water to make a stiff dough.
Dust the counter generously with oatmeal. Roll the dough 1/8 inch thick (about 3 mm) and cut 2 1/2-inch rounds, re-rolling scraps once.
Place on the sheet and bake 18 to 20 minutes, turning once halfway, until the edges curl slightly and the oatcakes are dry and lightly golden.
Cool completely on a rack; they crisp up as they cool.

Tips

Work while the dough is warm or it will crack at the edges.
Use medium oatmeal, not rolled oats.
Add water a spoonful at a time; the dough should hold together but not be sticky.
Good with butter, honey or sharp cheese.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make scottish oatcakes?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 16 oatcakes.

How should I store scottish oatcakes?

Keep airtight at room temperature up to 2 weeks.

Can I make scottish oatcakes ahead?

It is at its best the day it is made; prepare it a few hours before serving.

A flat, crisp biscuit made from oatmeal, fat, hot water and salt, a staple of Scottish and northern English kitchens, eaten with butter, cheese, honey or jam. Serve it with butter, honey or sharp cheese.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 16 servings this recipe makes.

26 Calories / serving

2.1g Fat

1.5g Carbs

0.3g Protein

0.0g Sugar

Whole recipe (16 servings): ~416 cal · 34g fat · 24g carbs · 5g protein · 0g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.